Light emitting device

Abstract

A light emitting device (1) for single-track vehicles (2), preferably bicycles, is presented, comprising a housing component (5) which can be detachably secured to the frame of the vehicle (2) by means of a fastening device (6) and a light emitting unit (7), wherein the light emitting unit (7) has at least one light source (8) and a lens system (10) arranged in front of the light source (8) towards the outside of the light emitting unit (7), by means of which the light radiation generated by the light source (8) is bundled in the form of an elongated, bar-shaped light cone (13).

Description

Technical environment

[0001] The invention relates to a light emitting device for single-track vehicles, preferably bicycles, for marking a minimum lateral distance, comprising a housing component which can be releasably secured to the frame of the vehicle by means of a fastening device, and a light emitting unit which has at least one light source and a lens system arranged in front of the light source towards the outside of the light emitting unit, by means of which the light radiation generated by the light source is bundled in the form of an elongated, bar-shaped light cone. State of the art

[0002] Light emitting devices are usually used to improve the visibility of cyclists on their two-wheelers, whereby they are usually installed in the front and rear areas of the vehicle to emit the light to the front and rear.

[0003] In particular, the light emitting devices installed in the front area of ​​the vehicle can also have lateral light emission areas, so that better visibility from the side is also ensured.

[0004] Thanks to modern lighting technology, the light emitting devices commonly used today generally meet all the requirements for good visibility, especially in the dark.

[0005] With the number of cars and trucks on the road still increasing, the space available for single-track vehicles and especially for bicycles is currently decreasing, unless environmental policy considerations influence a different distribution of the total available traffic space in the long term.

[0006] This means that, particularly in everyday road traffic, the potential for conflict between single-track and dual-track vehicles is particularly high wherever limited road space necessitates close proximity between vehicles. This creates considerable potential for conflict, particularly for users of single-track vehicles, especially bicycles, due to the typically different speeds of the two road users during overtaking maneuvers. This leads to an increased risk of accidents due to insufficient distance between road users during overtaking maneuvers. Statistics clearly indicate that many accidents involving cyclists are caused or indirectly attributable to the fact that car drivers fail to maintain the 1.5 m lateral distance from the cyclist they are overtaking, as required by law for some time.This may be due to a considerable extent to the fact that estimating the necessary distance, particularly when overtaking with oncoming traffic, is too much for the driver due to a lack of experience.

[0007] In order to clearly indicate the necessary distance to an overtaken bicycle, distance warning devices have been developed in the past. These, for example, are attached to the luggage rack and can be pivoted by 90° to the roadway using a hinge from a folded position to the bicycle in order to alert passing drivers to the necessary sufficient distance.

[0008] Such mechanical indicators are no longer feasible given the minimum distance of 1.5 m now stipulated by law.

[0009] In order to ensure the appropriate distances and thus lengths of the laterally protruding components, telescopic devices would have to be used if necessary, which has so far obviously proven to be impractical.

[0010] In order to make the minimum distance of 1.5 m when overtaking bicycles clearer, electronically assisted devices have been developed in addition to the mechanical distance warning systems, which make the necessary lateral distance clear, especially to overtaking drivers.

[0011] In this context, reference is made, for example, to DE 10 2019 002 580 A1, which discloses a bicycle distance warning system which generates an optical distance display depending on a sensor system monitoring the bicycle's surroundings.

[0012] In addition, a system intended for attachment to bicycles is known from US 2008 / 0 219 014 A1, which can also visually indicate a lateral distance from the bicycle.

[0013] US 2010 / 0 283 590 A1 also discloses a device which generates lines projected onto the road surface which are arranged at a lateral distance from the bicycle. Object of the invention

[0014] Based on the above-described problems in the interaction between two- and four-lane vehicles, particularly during overtaking maneuvers, the object of the invention is to provide a light emitting device of the generic type that easily indicates the legally required minimum distance during overtaking. The light emitting device should be universally attachable to bicycles as an accessory and have a simple and therefore cost-effective design. Solution to the task

[0015] According to the invention, the object set for a light emitting device of the type described at the outset is achieved with the technical features mentioned in claim 1.

[0016] Essential to the invention for solving the problem of providing a light emitting device with the advantages according to the problem is that an electronic control unit for regulating the brightness of the light source as a function of the ambient brightness of the light emitting device is arranged in the housing component of the light emitting device and the electronic control unit has a control module for changing the length and width of the bar-shaped light cone emerging through the light emitting unit.

[0017] The light emitting device according to the invention is arranged at a suitable location on the bicycle frame so that the generated elongated, bar-shaped light cone hits the ground parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis at a distance of 1.5 m, thus clearly indicating to following and overtaking drivers that they should not cross the area between the bar-shaped light cone and the bicycle when overtaking to avoid hazards. The light emitting device can be arranged either at the front or rear of the bicycle; when adjusting the light emitting device, it is only necessary to ensure that the bar-shaped light cone hits the ground parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis at the appropriate distance.

[0018] Since the geometry of the bicycles offered on the market differs greatly due to their different intended use (touring bike, mountain bike, folding bike, etc.), an adaptation of the bar-shaped light cone when using the light emitting device according to the invention on different bicycles is ensured by the use of the electronic control unit and the control module contained therein for changing the length and width of the bar-shaped light cone emerging through the light emitting unit. Special embodiments of the subject matter of the invention additionally arise from the subclaims which refer back to claim 1.

[0019] It has proven particularly advantageous that the light source is designed as an LED lighting unit, since the LEDs commonly used today ensure sufficient light intensity while simultaneously consuming low power.

[0020] In order to use the light emitting device according to the invention on various bicycles as simply as possible, a legitimate embodiment provides for the integration of a power supply unit for the light emitting device into the housing component. The power supply unit can be connected to a charging plug, preferably in the form of a USB port, inserted into the wall of the housing component.

[0021] In addition, it is advantageous for the fastening device to consist of a holder which can be fixed to the frame of the vehicle, preferably without tools, and which is provided on its outer side facing away from the frame with a hollow-shaped longitudinal rail into which a protruding, elongated insertion projection arranged on the housing component and corresponding in its shape is a slide.

[0022] As an alternative to the elongated insertion projection, a holding part can be arranged on the outside of the housing component, which cooperates with the holder fixed to the vehicle by means of a rotationally shaped receiving part arranged on this holder.

[0023] Furthermore, a useful development of the subject matter of the invention provides that the electronic control unit has a detection system that detects when the single-track vehicle passes through the temporary safety zone and generates a control pulse to a loudspeaker unit additionally incorporated in the housing component. The described additional equipment can alert a person overtaking the single-track vehicle to the failure to maintain the required legal minimum distance. Character description

[0024] An embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the invention mounted on a bicycle with clarification of the effect achieved by the device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view through the Fig. 1 light emitting device mounted on the bicycle and Fig. 3 a side view of the light emitting device according to the invention.

[0025] The Fig. The light emitting device according to the invention, shown in Figure 1 and designated in its entirety by 1, is mounted on a bicycle in the illustrated embodiment. The bicycle typically consists of wheels and a frame 3, which in turn is provided with an upper cross tube 4 running between the saddle and handlebars. The light emitting device 1 is secured to the cross tube 4 in such a way that it can fulfill its intended purpose by emitting an elongated, bar-shaped light cone 13 in such a way that this light cone 13, viewed from the cross tube 4, is directed laterally obliquely downwards toward the ground.

[0026] If the light cone 13 hits the ground, then, as the Fig. 1 shows an elongated, strip-shaped light pattern 14. This light pattern 14 is arranged such that a distance L exists between the vertical bicycle plane 20 and the light pattern 14. This distance L is 1.5 m when the light emitting device 1 is correctly adjusted. This distance corresponds to the lateral safety distance prescribed by law and to be maintained by overtaking road users from the cyclist.

[0027] Photo 14 was used to inform overtaking road users, without contact, about compliance with the relevant legal requirements.

[0028] The schematic structure of the light emitting device 1 is shown in the Fig.2 using component diagrams. The individual components of the light-emitting device 1 are integrated into a housing component 5, which consists of a rectangular, trough-like housing base 11 and a housing cover 12. The housing base 11 and housing cover 12 are sealed watertight by suitable sealing measures and detachably connected to one another by screwing or a snap-in device.

[0029] On the front side of the lower housing part 11, an opening 23 is provided into which a light-emitting unit 7 is inserted. The light-emitting unit 7 essentially consists of a lens system 10, a drive unit 17 for the lens system 10, and a light source 8.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the light source 8 is designed as an LED lighting unit, as this design allows for excellent light intensity combined with low energy consumption. The light source 8 is powered by a power supply unit 15, which consists of a rechargeable battery and a standard USB charging socket (not shown in detail in the figure).

[0031] The charging of the power supply unit 15 as well as other properties of the light emitting device 1 according to the invention are monitored and controlled by an electronic control unit 16.

[0032] All of the above-mentioned components of the light emitting device 1, such as the light emitting unit 7, the power supply unit 15 and the control unit 16, together with all associated sub-elements, are mounted on a circuit board 9 arranged at the bottom of the trough-shaped housing lower part 11 and are electronically connected to one another.

[0033] In addition to monitoring the charge of the power supply unit 15, the control unit 16 is used to control the size and intensity of the light cone 13 as well as its color formation, whereby with regard to the color of the projected light image 14, the color red appears to be primarily suitable in order to ensure appropriate attention of overtaking road users.

[0034] As already mentioned above, the light-emitting unit 7 is constructed from a lens system 10, a light source 8, and a drive unit 17. The drive unit 17 serves to spatially displace the individual lenses of the lens system 10, allowing different widths and lengths of the light cone 13 to be realized. Of course, it is also conceivable to implement the light-emitting unit 7 using other suitable components, provided that the stated task of generating a bar-shaped, elongated light cone 13 of variable size and color is ensured.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the light emitting device 1, or rather the housing component 5, is provided with a fastening device 6 on its rear side, opposite the front side provided with the opening 23 for the exit of the light cone 13. In the present embodiment, the fastening device 6 serves to releasably secure the light emitting device 1 to the upper cross tube 4 of the frame 3 of the bicycle. This attachment can be achieved in various ways.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the fastening device 6 essentially consists of two components that can be hooked together. The first component is a bracket 18, which is ring-shaped and encloses the cross tube 4. This bracket 18 is preferably secured to the cross tube 4 without the use of tools using a suitable screw connection. The bracket 18 is intended for permanent installation on the vehicle 2.

[0037] The holder 18 has a U-shaped longitudinal rail 19 on one side, which in the present embodiment has a dovetail-shaped undercut. A projection 21 protruding from the housing component 5 is inserted into this longitudinal rail 19. Suitable stops ensure the reproducible end position of the housing component 5 on the holder 18.

[0038] Of course, the connection of the housing component 5 to the holder 18 can also be realized by a different structural design of the fastening device 6. For example, a rotational locking between the components in question is also conceivable, depending on the application requirements.

[0039] Practical tests have shown that the electronic control unit 16 can be easily expanded to implement an additional warning function for the light emitting device 1 according to the invention. For this purpose, the circuit board 9 has a loudspeaker unit 22, which can be supplied with control pulses via the control unit 16.

[0040] The loudspeaker unit 22 is activated depending on the detection of an interruption of the light cone 13 by overtaking vehicles that do not maintain the required minimum distance of 1.5 m. In such a case, an acoustic signal can be emitted by the loudspeaker unit 22, depending on the cyclist's instructions.

[0041] Should the networking of vehicles participating in traffic increase in the future within the currently envisioned framework, it is also conceivable that suitable electronic measures could be used within an overtaking vehicle to automatically generate an indication that the required lateral distance to overtaken cyclists was too small. For this purpose, the electronic control unit 16 can additionally be equipped with the ability to send corresponding signals that, in conjunction with the vehicle's electronics, generate such an indication function. List of reference symbols: 1 light emitting device 2 vehicles 3 frames 4 cross tube 5 Housing component 6 Fastening device 7 Light emitting unit 8 Light source 9 circuit board 10 lens system 11 Lower housing part 12 Housing cover 13 light cones 14 Photograph 15 Power supply unit 16 Control unit 17 Drive unit 18 Bracket 19 Longitudinal rail 20 Bicycle level 21 Insertion projection 22 Speaker unit 23 Breakthrough

Claims

[1] Light emitting device (1) for single-track vehicles (2), preferably bicycles, with a housing component (5) which can be detachably fixed to the frame of the vehicle (2) by means of a fastening device (6) and a light emitting unit (7) which has at least one light source (8) and a lens system (10) arranged in front of the light source (8) towards the outside of the light emitting unit (7), by means of which the light radiation generated by the light source (8) is bundled in the form of an elongated bar-shaped light cone (13), characterized by that an electronic control unit (16) for regulating the brightness of the light source (8) as a function of the ambient brightness of the light emitting device (1) is arranged in the housing component (5), and the electronic control unit (16) has a control module for changing the length and width of the bar-shaped light cone (13) emerging through the light emitting unit (7). [2] Light emitting device according to claim 1, characterized by that the light source (8) is designed as an LED lighting unit. [3] Light emitting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a power supply unit (15) for the light emitting device (1) is integrated in the housing component (5). [4] Light emitting device according to claim 1, characterized by that the control module for changing the length and width of the bar-shaped light cone (13) emerging through the light emitting unit (7) is connected to a drive unit (17) which enables a spatial change of the lens assemblies arranged within the lens system (10). [5] Light emitting device according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the fastening device (6) consists of a holder (18) which can be fixed to the frame (3) of the vehicle, preferably without tools, and which is provided on its outer side facing away from the frame (3) with a hollow-shaped longitudinal rail (19) into which a protruding, elongated insertion projection (21) arranged on the housing component (5) and corresponding in its shape can be inserted. [6] Light emitting device according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the fastening device (6) consists of a holder (18) which can be fixed to the frame (3) of the vehicle, preferably without tools, and which is provided on its outer side facing away from the frame (3) with a rotationally shaped receiving part into which a corresponding holding part arranged on the housing component (5) can be clipped by means of a snap device. [7] Light emitting device according to claim 2, characterized bythat the LED lighting unit can emit different colors using a control module. [8] Light emitting device according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that a loudspeaker unit (22) is integrated in the housing component (5), which can be supplied with control pulses via the electronic control unit (16).

Images